How to Care for Your Baby on the Way

Taking good care of yourself while you’re pregnant is one of the best things you can do for your baby. By following a few simple guidelines, you can increase your chances of having a safe, complication-free pregnancy.

At Albany Obstetrics & Gynecology, our care providers believe in the importance of prenatal health care for all pregnant women. We make your health and your baby’s health our top priorities.

To help you have the healthiest possible pregnancy, we would like to tell you about some of the ways you can care for your baby on the way.

Take a pregnancy multivitamin

Multivitamins help ensure that you and your baby are getting the nutrients you both need. Be sure to choose a pregnancy formulation with 400-800 micrograms of folic acid daily. Folic acid helps protect your baby from developing certain birth defects.

Start taking pregnancy multivitamins before you’re pregnant, if possible, or start as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Continue taking them throughout your pregnancy.

Eat right

Healthy food is good for you and your baby. Generally, a healthy pregnancy eating plan includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, dairy foods, healthy fats, legumes, and nuts.

Tell your provider if you need help figuring out the best food choices for you while you’re pregnant.

Gain the right amount of weight

It’s best for you and your baby if you gain the just-right amount of weight while you’re pregnant – not too much, and not too little. Your provider can tell you how much weight gain is right for you.

Following a weight-loss diet during pregnancy is not safe for you or your baby. If you have concerns about your weight, talk with your provider.

Be active

Unless you have certain health risks, being active during your pregnancy is good for you and your baby. If you already exercise, check with your provider to make sure it’s safe to keep doing what you’re doing.

Some good forms of exercise during pregnancy include walking, swimming, practicing yoga, and riding a stationary cycle.

Don’t drink, smoke, or use drugs

Even in small amounts, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs could harm your baby.

Go to all your prenatal care checkups

Seeing your doctor or midwife on a regular basis helps ensure that you have the healthiest possible pregnancy. During each visit, we check on your health and your baby’s health and schedules any tests or additional care you may need.

We also take time during each prenatal visit to answer your questions and share important information with you about taking care of yourself and your baby.

Here is the typical schedule of prenatal visits at Albany Obstetrics & Gynecology:

• Pregnancy week 8-28: every 4 weeks
• Pregnancy week 28-35: every 2 weeks
• Pregnancy week 36 to delivery: every week

If you have certain health risks or pre-existing health conditions, we may recommend more frequent checkups. And of course, if you have questions or concerns that can’t wait until your next visit, we’re here for you.

Care for you and your baby

Give yourself and your baby the high-quality prenatal care you both deserve. To schedule an appointment with us, call our office in Albany, New York, or use our contact form to get started.